“Retiree’s Dream Home Lost to Climate Change: Landmark Legal Case Ensues”
Retired engineer Kevin Jordan’s dream of spending his retirement listening to the sound of the sea at his home on the Norfolk coast in eastern England turned into a nightmare when his house was demolished due to coastal erosion in November last year. Now, Jordan is part of a landmark legal case brought by climate activist group Friends of the Earth, accusing the government of not doing enough to protect people from the foreseeable effects of climate change.
Jordan’s house, perched on a fragile cliff of sand and clay overlooking the seaside resort of Hemsby Beach, was like dozens of others in the area. However, a storm in November caused part of the road leading to his house to wash away, leaving his home teetering on the edge of the eroding coastline.
A report submitted to the Norfolk council in February highlighted the severity of the erosion in the area, predicting a rise in sea levels of 1.15 meters by the end of the century. If no action is taken, nearly 1,000 homes and businesses are expected to disappear by 2105.
Jordan, who bought the house after losing his partner 15 years ago, was aware of the risk of erosion but was assured by experts that he wouldn’t have to worry about it for at least 100 years. After the storm, Jordan and four neighbors received a letter informing them that their homes would be demolished within a week, with no compensation offered.
The issue of coastal erosion is not unique to Hemsby, as the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership estimated that 28 percent of the coastline in England and Wales is retreating by at least 10 centimeters a year due to erosion. Global warming is exacerbating the problem, leading to higher sea levels and more frequent and severe storms.
Locals in Hemsby, a town that sees its population triple in the summer due to tourists, feel neglected by local authorities. The “Save Hemsby Coastline” group, based at The Lacon Arms pub, is fighting to change the way government funding is allocated for sea defenses. Hemsby currently does not qualify for funding due to the overall value of its properties not meeting the threshold.
Jordan will be at the High Court in London this week, with Friends of the Earth arguing that the UK’s climate adaptation plan falls short in protecting communities like Hemsby. Jordan believes that the court action is not just for his town but for other vulnerable coastal areas facing similar challenges.
As Jordan puts it, “The minute you don’t have the beach resorts and shops anymore, everything will be dead. Hemsby will become a ghost town.” The fight for coastal communities like Hemsby continues as they grapple with the devastating effects of climate change and coastal erosion.